Ayrshire, Scotland (My Sportsbook) - Two-time defending champion Padraig Harrington likely won't retain the claret jug this week. The Irishman made two birdies in the first round of the 138th British Open Championship at Turnberry, but has made only two more since. Harrington posted a six-over 76 Saturday and completed three rounds at nine- over-par 219. He has won three of the last eight majors, including two in a row at this championship. The 37-year-old stumbled to five bogeys in a nine-hole stretch Friday. He got one stroke back with a birdie on the 17th to finish two rounds at plus-three. Saturday's third round was more of the same. After opening with a birdie on the first, things were all downhill from there. Harrington slipped to plus-four after bogeys on three and seven. He then stumbled to a double-bogey on the par-four eighth. Around the turn, three more bogeys dropped Harrington to plus-nine. Unless he makes a huge rally in the final round, Harrington will hand over the claret jug to a new champion on Sunday. It would be the first time since July 22, 2007 -- the day he won his first major in a playoff over Sergio Garcia -- that Harrington did not possess the Open Championship trophy. |
